Vacuum cleaner tank assembly

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner filter bag retainer includes slots on each side which receive a cardboard plate attached to a filter bag. The plate is slid into the slots of the filter bag retainer such that openings in the plate and bag match with an opening in the filter bag retainer. The retainer is attached to a tank through an opening in the tank, and an inlet fitting extends from outside the tank, through the retainer, and into the bag. The inlet fitting, therefore, prevents the bag from sliding out of the slots in the retainer. A swivel fitting loosely traps the inlet fitting adjacent the filter bag retainer through threads on the swivel fitting and the retainer. The inlet fitting also holds a hose to the inlet fitting.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to vacuum cleaners and in particular to a vacuum cleaner assembly for securely housing a filter bag inside a receptacle or tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vacuum cleaners often include a disposable filter bag. The filter bag collects particulate matter from air passing through the filter bag for subsequent disposal. Typically, the filter bag is removably mounted in a tank or other receptacle associated with the vacuum cleaner. When the filter bag is full, it is removed and an empty filter bag is installed in the tank.

Most filter bags include a cardboard plate with an aperture aligned to an opening in the filter bag. To install an empty filter bag in the vacuum cleaner tank, in such a way as to prevent unwanted movement of the filter bag, the aperture in the cardboard plate is pushed on to a filter bag mount. The filter bag mount is connected to the vacuum cleaner tank and to a hose. The combination usually remains in place due to friction or an interference fit. An aperture in the filter bag mount allows dirty air to pass from the hose to the filter bag where the dirt is collected. In order to reduce the amount of dirty air that escapes (i.e., air which fails to pass through the filter bag), and to help maintain the position of the filter bag, the filter bag mount may include a raised flange or other seal.

Prior art systems allow an individual to replace the filter bag in such a way as to reduce movement and dirty air escape, however, these prior art systems suffer from certain drawbacks. The filter bag mount with raised flange requires the user to force and/or bend the cardboard plate into position. As a result, user's often find it difficult to install a new filter bag. Further, damage may occur to the cardboard plate, thereby increasing the amount of dirty air that escapes or possibly resulting in the cardboard plate and bag becoming entirely dislodged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a vacuum cleaner assembly for attaching a filter bag to a receptacle, the filter bag including a plate, and the receptacle including an inlet, is provided. The assembly includes a filter bag retainer. The assembly also includes a first fitting extending from outside the receptacle through the tank inlet, through the filter bag retainer, and into the filter bag. A second fitting engages the filter bag retainer to trap the first fitting adjacent to the filter bag retainer.

In some embodiments, the filter bag retainer includes first and second slots for receiving the plate on the filter bag. Further, the filter bag retainer may include a threaded cylinder forming a retainer aperture, wherein the threaded cylinder is inserted through the inlet. Still further, the filter bag retainer may include a first threaded aperture, and the second fitting may include a second threaded aperture, wherein the first threaded aperture is adapted to pass through the inlet and couple to the second threaded aperture. In some embodiments, the second fitting is further adapted to bold a hose adjacent to the inlet fitting.

In a preferred embodiment, the first fitting includes a first ridged member adjacent between the cylinder abutment 31, and a second ridged member 46 of the inlet fitting 32 is loosely trapped adjacent the swivel fitting abutment 42 (see FIGS. 3-5).

In addition, a hose 48 is provided. The hose 48 includes a series of outer ribs 52 and a series of inner ribs 54 forming a grooved aperture. The inner ribs 54 engage and couple to the a second ridged member 46 of the inlet fitting 32 preferably using a force fit in a known manner. In this configuration, the end of the hose 48 may travel with the rotating swivel fitting 38 (see FIGS. 3-5).

In summary, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that a vacuum cleaner tank assembly for securely housing a filter bag inside a vacuum cleaner tank has been provided. Systems implementing the teachings of the invention do not require the user to force and/or bend the cardboard plate into position. As a result, user's will find it easier to install a new filter bag. Further, less damage will occur to the cardboard plate, thereby decreasing the amount of dirty air that escapes.

The foregoing description has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner assembly for attaching a filter bag to a receptacle, the receptacle including an inlet, the assembly comprising:

a filter bag retainer;

a first fitting extending from outside the receptacle through the inlet, through the filter bag retainer, and into the filter bag; and,

a second fitting engaging the filter bag retainer to trap the first fitting adjacent to the filter bag retainer.

2. The vacuum cleaner assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the filter bag retainer comprises first and second slots for receiving a plate on the filter bag.

3. The vacuum cleaner assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the filter bag retainer further comprises a threaded cylinder forming a retainer aperture, wherein the threaded cylinder is inserted through the inlet.

4. The vacuum cleaner assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the filter bag retainer comprises a first threaded aperture, and the second fitting comprises a second threaded aperture, the first threaded aperture is adapted to pass through the inlet and couple to the second threaded aperture.

5. The vacuum cleaner assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the second fitting is further adapted to hold a hose adjacent to the inlet fitting.

6. The vacuum cleaner assembly defined in claim 1, wherein

the first fitting comprises a first ridged member and a second ridged member;

the filter bag retainer comprises a threaded cylinder and a first abutment;

the second fitting comprises a threaded inner surface and a second abutment; and

the assembly is adapted to loosely trap the first ridged member against the first abutment and to loosely trap the second ridged member against the second abutment as the threaded inner surface is tightened on to the threaded cylinder.

7. The vacuum cleaner assembly defined in claim 1, further comprising a hose, wherein the hose comprises a grooved aperture, the first fitting comprises a ridged member, and the grooved aperture couples to the ridged member.

8. The vacuum cleaner assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a tank.

9. A vacuum cleaner assembly comprising:

a receptacle including an inlet;

a filter bag including a filter bag aperture;

a plate connected to the filter bag, wherein the plate includes a plate aperture;

a filter bag retainer including first and second retainer slots, a threaded cylinder, and a cylinder abutment, wherein the plate slides into the retainer slots and the threaded cylinder is inserted into the tank aperture;

a first fitting including a ridged end, a non-ridged end, a first ridged member, and a second ridged member, wherein the non-ridged end is inserted through the inlet, the filter bag aperture, and the plate aperture; and

a second fitting including a threaded inner surface and a fitting abutment, wherein the threaded inner surface engages the threaded cylinder thereby trapping the first ridged member adjacent the cylinder abutment and trapping the second ridged member adjacent the fitting abutment.

10. The vacuum cleaner defined in claim 9, further comprising a hose including outer ribs and inner ribs, wherein the inner ribs engage the ridged end of the first fitting.

11. The vacuum cleaner assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the first fitting, comprises a first ridged member, the filter bag retainer comprises a threaded cylinder and a first abutment, the second fitting comprises a threaded inner surface and a second abutment, and the assembly is adapted to loosely trap the first ridged member between the first abutment and the second abutment as the threaded inner surface is tightened on to the threaded cylinder.